Categories: Chicago

Metra bridge project will receive $17.8 million

The U.S Department of Transportation DOT) will give around $17.8 million to Metra for rail improvements. This news was announced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in a statement. The funding will help in the construction of a new grade-separated double-tracked rail bridge.

The bridge will be over Milwaukee Avenue immediately north of the Grayland Metra Station in Chicago. Senator Dick Durbin says that “For many Illinoisans, Metra is the only affordable and accessible transportation option they have.” He added that the funding given to Metra will help in improving the service for the customers who rely on these trains for their commute.

Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program is the program which has allowed for this funding. This program is created to help fund any repair, replace and rehabilitate the publicly-owned railroad assets.

Ray Lang, Amtrak senior director, state and local government affairs say that “Amtrak trains use this bridge up to 16 times daily on our Hiawatha Service and Empire Builder routes between Chicago and Milwaukee and the Pacific Northwest and we gladly supported Metra’s grant application.”

Lang also said that the Hiawathas is the busiest route with about 850,000 customers using the route last year. Therefore, the bridge is important for their growth.

Gabriella Remillard

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Senate Democrats mock Biden for selling weapons to Israel

Some of President Biden's strongest Senate allies are calling on Israelis to end months of fierce fighting and criticizing the…

10 months ago

The biggest cities in Ukraine are struck by Russian missiles, leaving at least 4 dead and over 100 injured

Ukraine's KYIV — At least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured when Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine's…

10 months ago

Good News That’s Much Needed for Biden

The economy is making Americans feel a little more upbeat, especially when it comes to jobs and incomes, which could…

11 months ago

College Ventilation System Reveals Missing Man

The discovery of a decaying body inside a college ventilation system marked the tragic and unexplained end to a missing…

11 months ago

Following three Palestinian shots, a Vermont man was arrested

Following the shooting deaths of three 20-year-old Palestinian-American students in Vermont, authorities have detained a man. According to a news…

11 months ago

China is told to cease “COVID deception” due to the pneumonia outbreak by the US envoy

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, urged Chinese authorities "to abandon COVID deception" and demanded that China be…

12 months ago

This website uses cookies.